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12/03/2004
Chip plant saved by farmers' co-op
The sole frozen chip plant in Ireland has been saved by an investment of £2.5 million by a cross-border farmers' co-operative.
The deal will secure 26 jobs at the Ballymoney Foods factory, which processes around 30,000 tonnes of local produce for the highly competitive frozen chip market.
Owners Glenfarm had announced recently that the plant was earmarked for closure.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has welcomed the announcement. The UFU assisted with the brokering of the deal, which originated from an approach by a consortium of southern growers.
UFU Deputy President Campbell Tweed said the Union was pleased that the uncertainty surrounding the future of the plant had been resolved: “It is good news that this outlet for processing potatoes will continue to operate. The growers have made a significant investment in the future of their businesses and in the future of the potato sector on the island of Ireland. We wish them well in what is sure to be a very rigorous market place”.
The UFU has urged the retail sector to respond positively to developments at Ballymoney Foods.
Mr Tweed said: “The purchase of Ballymoney Foods by the growers gives us a locally owned company and we hope the retail sector will respond to this. The UFU will be trying as an organisation to give the company whatever assistance we can”.
(SP)
The deal will secure 26 jobs at the Ballymoney Foods factory, which processes around 30,000 tonnes of local produce for the highly competitive frozen chip market.
Owners Glenfarm had announced recently that the plant was earmarked for closure.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has welcomed the announcement. The UFU assisted with the brokering of the deal, which originated from an approach by a consortium of southern growers.
UFU Deputy President Campbell Tweed said the Union was pleased that the uncertainty surrounding the future of the plant had been resolved: “It is good news that this outlet for processing potatoes will continue to operate. The growers have made a significant investment in the future of their businesses and in the future of the potato sector on the island of Ireland. We wish them well in what is sure to be a very rigorous market place”.
The UFU has urged the retail sector to respond positively to developments at Ballymoney Foods.
Mr Tweed said: “The purchase of Ballymoney Foods by the growers gives us a locally owned company and we hope the retail sector will respond to this. The UFU will be trying as an organisation to give the company whatever assistance we can”.
(SP)
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Around 20 jobs are to go at a Co Antrim potato processing plant, it was confirmed on Thursday. Ballymoney Foods said its business was being undermined by imports of cheaper chips from the Netherlands and Belgium and that the jobs would be lost as it tried to cut costs and stabilise its frozen chip production business.
Jobs to go at potato processing plant
Around 20 jobs are to go at a Co Antrim potato processing plant, it was confirmed on Thursday. Ballymoney Foods said its business was being undermined by imports of cheaper chips from the Netherlands and Belgium and that the jobs would be lost as it tried to cut costs and stabilise its frozen chip production business.
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Ballymoney Foods secure £1m contract
Leading frozen potato producer, Ballymoney Foods has won a major contract with Britain's largest holiday resort company, Bourne Leisure.
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Sellafield clean-up not closure say BNFL
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Sellafield clean-up not closure say BNFL
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
